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Public discourse is broken. BCG’s Julia Dhar shares three techniques to reshape how we talk with—and disagree with—each other.

Julia Dhar joined Boston Consulting Group in 2009 and is a core member of the People & Organization, Industrial Goods, Public Sector, and Social Impact practices. She founded and leads BCG’s Behavioral Science Lab and the firm’s behavioral science network BeSmart, and is a member of BCG’s global Change Management leadership team. Trained as a behavioral economist, Julia champions the use of behavioral insights to improve product and service design and delivery to make countries and organizations more inclusive, sustainable, and productive. She is deeply involved in the firm's IP development on the Future of Work and co-leads BCG’s work on deskless workers.

Julia is the co-author of "Building Resilient Organizations: Best practices, tools and insights to thrive in ever-changing contexts" published by the Project Management Institute in 2022 and "The Decision-Maker's Playbook" published by the Financial Times in 2019. Her TED talks on productive disagreement and constructive conversations have been viewed more than 8.5 million times.

Julia has advised and implemented transformation strategies across a range of social impact and public sector organizations, including economic development and planning, finance, labor, education, and social welfare. She works with private sector clients to integrate choice architecture and customer insights to improve productivity, performance, employee engagement, and customer experience of organizations in sectors including manufacturing, distribution airlines, energy, technology, and telecommunications.

Before joining the firm, Julia worked as the Private Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in New Zealand and led a major study to increase private capital for public services at the UK Cabinet Office's Social Investment and Finance Team. Julia is a board member of RefugePoint, one of the leading voices for refugee resettlement and self-reliance.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • MPP, Harvard Kennedy School
  • BA, Economic and Social Sciences, University of Sydney

Publications and Videos

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Supporting Frontline Workers Is a Boon to the Bottom Line

Many frontline workers feel burned out. But with proper attention and investment, they constitute a motivated workforce that can unleash an organization’s highest potential.

How's Your Team Really Doing in a Transformation?

Leaders need a tool to quickly understand a team's true bandwidth and use the science of behavior change to intervene as needed.

Introducing BCG's Behavioral Science Lab

We bring behavioral science, psychology, and neuroscience together to increase the odds of success in a transformation.

How to Create a Transformation That Lasts | Hero

How to Create a Transformation That Lasts

Transformations are critical to building competitive advantage and delivering shareholder value. They are most successful when managed through a transformation office.
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How Leaders and Employees Can Be Partners in Change

People closer to the decision making feel more favorably toward change than those further away. Employees need to have more agency in the process.
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Canadian Industrial Employers Can Solve Talent Shortages with These Three Actions

Canada’s industrial sector is facing a critical talent shortage. By taking three key steps, employers can improve the lives of their workers and drive bottom line impact.
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Overcoming the Eight Barriers to Making Green Mainstream

To nudge consumers toward more sustainable products, companies need to gain a deep understanding of consumer needs and motivations, and then devise strategies to change buying patterns.
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Rewiring the Auto Industry for the Electric, Connected Future

Every automaker is preparing for the full transformation to electric, connected cars. Are their operating models, talent pools, ways of working, and corporate culture ready?
People Strategy in the Age of Generative AI | Hero

People Strategy in the Age of Generative AI

Why companies should focus on tasks more than on jobs, how they can train their managers to manage AI, and the importance of ethical thinking and responsible acting.
How Change Aversion Can Derail a Transformation Hero Rectangle

How Change Aversion Can Derail a Transformation

Change is difficult...because people just don’t like it! Discover the reasons behind change aversion and ways that businesses can realize more successful change efforts.
Crafting a Value Proposition for National Growth | Rectangle

Crafting a Value Proposition for National Growth

An economic value proposition can help governments attract talent and investment. To get started, focus on a few critical priorities—and build on your strengths.
Why Leaders Can’t Let Up in Transformations | Rectangle

Why Leaders Can’t Let Up in Transformations

The business environment just keeps getting tougher, but transformation is still an imperative. A new survey confirms that five measures can make a big difference in results.